COOKIE MESSAGE

After taking Kaitlyn sledding on the small hill near our development, we head on to our favorite Chinese buffet. Ralph has been hankering to eat Chinese food and so do I. The trouble is, I just ate a chicken sandwich a couple of hours before we left. Still, I am not one to refuse food and will eat until I pass out. The place was bustling with people coming in for lunch. I just had a slice of meat, shrimp, rice, beans. I was going to go get some salad but I bee lined for the dessert bar. Kaitlyn was having a good time and behaved pretty good. She ate most of her food and had fun feeding her daddy some vanilla and chocolate pudding. A few minutes into the dessert we got our fortune cookie.And mine said

" IF YOU TELL THE TRUTH YOU DON'T HAVE TO REMEMBER ANYTHING".

It is exactly what it is. If one lies one has to remember what lie was being told so that one will keep on with that lie and not be caught. Am I making sense?

A WARM AND SAFE NEW YEARS

Guest post of the week by Moises Henderson

It's New Years Eve and when we were younger we could go and party all night long, but we are much older now and even a littler wiser, so it's home we stay. We invite a few friends in and have a little get together of our very own. The food is all made, for the snacks that we must have, the beverages are chilled and the house is decorated for the coming of the new year. It just wouldn't be right if we didn't have our direc 4 u TV tuned to Times Square for the big ball drop. Having all that excitement in New York is just adding to the joy we feel in our family room. The music that is being played the biggest part of the night always adds to the party atmosphere. As the midnight hour approaches, we all settle in to see the magic that happens, when that beautiful ball finally reaches the bottom. A little hugging and a few friendly kisses is a way our friends spend the welcoming of the New Year. Safe and warm with the ones we care about is the best way to start a new month and a new year.

THEY ARE BACK!

Oh yes my favorite CBS shows are finally back with new episodes. I think CBS has a lot of great shows. While on Christmas break I was so looking forward to seeing my favorite shows, imagine my dissapointment to find out that it was a rebroadcast/repeat of an episode that I have previously seen. I hated the fact that I had nothing to really watch at night when the kids are snug in bed sleeping. But this week, my shows are back with a vengeance. So are you a CBS fan? What are your favorite shows to watch and why?

My favorites are CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, CSI :NY, CSI:MIAMI, NCIS, NCIS : LA, and CRIMINAL MINDS. I just love the whole CSI but my favorite is probably Las Vegas and NY. Las Vegas for Nick Stokes and Rey Langston.. And NY for no other than Det. Mac Taylor. And NCIS for Abby and Leroy Jethro Gibbs. I will be looking forward to next week and new episodes of my favorite shows.

STOCKING STUFFERS TO FIT MY BUDGET

Guest post written by Kate Teague

I like to get really creative when I'm giving gifts, but sometimes when you're giving gifts to little kids they want something specific that they've seen on commercials, like a holiday Barbie, and just won't be happy unless they get it for Christmas. But one area that I've learned you can trick them in at Christmas is stocking stuffers. You can make little, inexpensive things look really nice if you put them in a stocking and stick to a few little tricks.

I started thinking about that a few weeks ago and when I was doing that I went online with our CLEAR TV BUNDLE to see if I could find some easy and cheap stocking stuffers to put in my kids' stockings.

One of the cheap stocking stuffers that I came up with was to buy a little pink notebook and take some Barbie stickers and put it on the cover. Then I got some hot pink pencils to match the notebook that my daughter will think are Barbie things too. I also got her some cheap little hair clips that I know she'll like too

A SECOND CHANCE

About a couple of days ago a saw a news clip about this man with a Golden voice. A homeless man name Ted Williams was just given a second chance of a lifetime. I could not believe his voice, I mean my goodness it was just so magical. When you hear him talk he just sucks you into the story he tells. He truly has a God given voice and is tailor made for Radio or sport broadcasting. I was so glad to see and read in the news that he was been offered jobs and that he is getting his life back in order. It matters not what you were in the past, what matters is what you do with the opportunity you have in the present so you have something to look forward in the future. To Ted Williams I wish you all the best and may you succeed this time around and prove that you are worth the second chance. To read more about his story click here.

GETTING USED TO EACH OTHER

Guest post written by Ken Barley

My wife and I are newlyweds, and itÕs been a whole new experience since we started living together. Having to share the same space everyday has its pleasant momentsÉ but it also has its challenges, ha! We get along really well, but weÕre definitely still fine-tuning a few things. I am a pretty messy guy, and she is a pretty neat girl, so we bang heads there a lot. I feel like sheÕs often frustrated because I donÕt clean in a very timely fashion, and when I get home from work, cleaning is the last thing I usually think about. IÕm trying to work on my habits so that we can both live easily.

One thing we both agree on is that our new home needs a little work in general. We are going to have to make it a team project to get our new little home in pristine condition. I think that I am going to look at sites like http://www.HomeProImprovement.com because I honestly have no idea what IÕm doing when it comes to repairs. We have a lot to work on together, but, the operative keyword there is TOGETHER!

BACK TO THE GRIND

It's back to school again! It was a great 2 week vacation from waking up early, getting my eldest ready for school and walking to the bus stop in the frigid weather. I am not looking forward walking to the bus stop in this cold weather. And I have been sleeping late so my body is not use to waking up early in the morning again.

Every New Year people tend to make a list of things they want to do or change. I, have not made a list or promised anything. But I will try my best to be the best I can be this year. I'll try to be a good mom, wife just have an open mind and positive outlook with the New Year. The most important thing to me is all my loved ones are healthy and my kids and striving.

GRANDMOTHER'S TEACHING

Thanks for the article from Robin Woodard

It was finally Christmas time and I was excited to put my knitting skills to work. My grandmother had been taking time for years to teach me and I had finally picked up the skill of knitting well enough to knit gifts for others. I had been taught how to make a number of things from scarfs to sweaters and had something special for everyone on my list. I cant wait to see how everyone enjoys the gifts that I made with my own hands for them. I am looking forward to seeing my own hard work finished as well.

My grandmother and I had been knitting together for years, and I loved sitting around with the DirectTV on with one of our favorite shows and knitting together in silence. It was a bonding experience for the both of us and one that I will remember every time I pick up my knitting needles in the future. I cant wait to see my own grandmothers face when I see her open up the finished sweater that I have been working on for her. Her teaching can finally be seen in a finished product of mine.

EAT AND LAUGHTER

New Year once again was a successful family gathering at our house. The photo on the left side is 2 out of the 4 meals we prepared for our family. We only had 5 since we tend to overcook which leaves us with a lot of left overs. I made beef stew ( beef caldereta) , mixed veggies, sausage and meatballs, fresh ham and my BIL lasagna. I only cooked 3 out of the 5 meals. It was wonderful today, the weather was nice except for a little rain. Inside our house, the laughter and the story telling was not dampened by the rain outside. All of the Schifano men were in one house. Kaitlyn was all over her Uncle Larry that she hardly sees. She loved the presents (princes shoes,cellphone and a purse with jelweries) he got her. She was wearing them the moment she opened it. Ralph had to work today but he did not miss out on the festivities. My guest didn't start arriving until 2 p.m and by 4:15 Ralph was home from work. We ate to our hearts content. Surprisingly not one of the 24 pack of beers were consumed. They were still experiencing hang overs from welcoming year 2011. We still have left over but by tomorrow evening, it will be all gone. What were your festivities like?

CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE WITH CHARLIE BROWN

Content by Mitch Osborne

The unforgettable A Charlie Brown Christmas special has been around for over three decades. The introduction music from the show is now a classic tune that is heard all over the world during Christmas. The lovable characters and story not only give us a great special, it also tells what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.

I eagerly wait for this favorite animated Christmas series of mine to come on my Direct TV Satellite Packages. I truly enjoy this special because the progression not only allows us to see the wonderful characters of the Peanuts comic strip in action, it also shows many of us what the true meaning of Christmas is. We can forget that Christmas isn't all about gifts and the perfect tree. It's not about commercialism and who has the most gifts. It's about the celebration of a great being and also the celebration of love and family.

Whenever me and my husband get stressed about present buying or the holidays we think back to the night we watched the show and remember that none of the materialistic things count. The time spent with our loved ones is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon us.

A Charlie Brown Christmas special is fun for all ages. It provides great laughs for the children and also deeper meaning for us forgetful adults. That's why every year I sit with my hot chocolate and re-watch this favorite Christmas special of mine.

GOODBYE AND WELCOME

Happy New Year !

2010 has been more than generous to me and my family. A lot happened in just a year, good, bad and in between. The highlight of my year 2010 was my vacation to my home country Philippines. After 3 years in America, I was finally able to go home for a visit and see my loved ones. It was an experience that I will always treasure. My daughter got to see her maternal Grandmother for the first time as well as her Maternal Great-grandparents. A lot of not so good things did happen to our year. My husband had a cyst removed from his derriere, Kaitlyn got a Tonsillectomy, Ralph was in an accident but those things pale to comparison to all the blessings we have gotten. Everyday is a blessing and I have come to appreciate day to day living.

I have no clue as to what 2011 will bring but we will strive to do more, love more and live life to the fullest. I make no promises this year, I will just do what I can to improve not just our lives but improve myself for the better. Goodbye 2010 and welcome 2011...

MY KNITTING

Posted by Jerold Austin

My grandmother lives in Malta, which is a small island off the coast of Italy. She doesn't really come to visit often, in fact the last time I've seen her was when I was about ten years old. I can't really remember the visit well, but I do remember that she taught me how to knit. I remember sitting by the fireplace and watching her intently, trying to remember all of the different stitches and moves that she was making with her hands. Because she has been knitting for about fifty years and on a daily basis, she is extremely good at what she does and extremely fast. I remember just being intrigued by her quick moving hands and her lightning stitches. It only took her about an hour to finish a beautiful piece of work: a pair of socks.

Once I began knitting, I took my time. It wasn't as fast for me to catch on, but I eventually did. I still don't knit very well, but it's definitely better than most people. In fact, I absolutely love sitting and knitting while watching my cable tv. When I knit, it literally feels like hours are passing by. And the fact is is that they actually are. I get so enveloped in my knitting that I actually forget what and who is around me. It's really very interesting.

4 YEARS IN A FOREIGN LAND

Happy 4th year anniversary to me!! What anniversary would I be talking about? Four years ago at exactly Dec 25,2006 I arrived in LAX. I finally reached my destination PHL the next day Dec 26, 2006. I can't believe that I have been living in this country for 4 years now. Never in my wildest dream did I think that I would end up living here in a foreign land and having my own family. But ever since I was young, I have always wanted to marry an American. Not for the reason that I want to live here in America but It was just the way I thought. If I had a choice I would like to stay in my home country Philippines. I have come to love America and I will call this my second home and the birth place of my future children and grandchildren. A happy happy 4th year anniversary to me again.

WE LOVE NICK JR.

Written by Don Gregory

At my house, we love watching Nick Jr. on Dish Network, which is satellite TV from www.TVbyDirect.com. Nick Jr. has so many shows that my 23 month old daughter loves to watch. Her favorite of course, is Dora the Explorer. She has learned so much just by watching Dora. She has known most of her colors and shapes since she was 20 months old, which is incredible. I credit Dora with her learning them so early. Most kids do not know many colors or shapes by the time they are two. My daughter asks to watch Dora several times a day and I am always happy to let her.

We also enjoy watching Diego on Nick Jr. Diego is just like Dora, except he is a boy and has a rescue pack instead of a backpack. He is fun and always on some kind of adventure.

Fresh Beat Band is also a fun show on Nick Jr. If your kids like music, they will love Fresh Beat Band. They make my daughter dance in ways that I have never seen her move. She gets excited when she hears them on TV.

Our final favorite is Kai Lan. She is somewhat like Dora, except Chinese. Her show teaches children about feelings. My daughter has learned about being happy, sad and angry from watching Kai Lan. She also knows the names of all of the characters.

It is amazing, how much kids learn just by watching Nick Jr. It is my daughter's favorite, but also the favorite of my husband and I because it has helped her to grow into such a smart toddler. You can definitely say it is like pre-school on TV.

MEET MR. AND MRS.

One of the many picture of my little girls opening their presents on Christmas morning. Kaitlyn had already opened one gift when she woke up. We had to leave a few minutes after Kaitlyn opened one gift to pick her big sister in Baltimore. She was so excited that we were finally picking up Kayla, she missed her terribly this past days that she was at her moms. We got home before two in the afternoon. As soon as we got in the girls headed for the tree clamouring to open the gifts. They had so much fun ripping the wrapping paper off. We got both girls a Mr. and Mrs. Potato head in honor of toy story 3. The toy comes with so many accessories, it will be a pain in the neck to keep it together but it is worth it. Kayla's big big gift was the DSi XL and as soon as she opened it she was in DS land. Kaitlyn on the other hand got busy playing with the Mrs. Potato head. Thank you to my husband for all of the toys the kids got and also for my gifts. This was indeed a good Christmas.